Phlebotomy Tech Prep: CPT Coming soon

Routine Blood Collections practice questions for the CPT exam

Routine Blood Collections is 28 of the 100 scored questions (28%) on the CPT exam. Try 8 free questions below: tap an answer to check it, then read why the other options are wrong and the sources.

8 questions. Tap an answer to check it, or open the explanation under each one.

Question 1

Under CLIA, a laboratory's written labeling procedure must call for the patient's name or a unique identifier and, when appropriate, which other item?

  1. The patient's diagnosis
  2. The ordering office's phone
  3. The insurance carrier
  4. The specimen source
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. The specimen source

42 CFR 493.1242(a)(3) requires written procedures for specimen labeling, including patient name or unique patient identifier and, when appropriate, specimen source.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. The patient's diagnosis: Diagnosis is not part of the CLIA labeling requirement.
  • B. The ordering office's phone: Provider contact details go on the requisition.
  • C. The insurance carrier: Insurance is not part of the CLIA labeling requirement.

Sources

Question 2

Croatian national recommendations allow tubes to be labeled after the draw only if the patient is still seated in front of the phlebotomist. Why?

  1. The tubes must be mixed before labels go on
  2. The barcode needs body heat to print
  3. Otherwise a tube may end up unlabeled
  4. The patient must sign each tube
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Otherwise a tube may end up unlabeled

Nikolac et al. say that if labeling follows venipuncture it must be done in front of the patient, who is still sitting there; otherwise a tube may be left unlabeled.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. The tubes must be mixed before labels go on: Mixing and labeling are separate steps; this rule is about identification.
  • B. The barcode needs body heat to print: Label printing does not depend on the patient.
  • D. The patient must sign each tube: Patients do not sign specimen tubes.

Sources

Question 3

According to MedlinePlus, emergency services should be called when a seizure lasts longer than how long?

  1. 30 seconds
  2. 2 to 5 minutes
  3. 15 to 20 minutes
  4. 30 minutes
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. 2 to 5 minutes

MedlinePlus advises calling 911 if a seizure lasts more than 2 to 5 minutes, among other reasons such as a first seizure or injury.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. 30 seconds: Many seizures last longer than 30 seconds and stop on their own.
  • C. 15 to 20 minutes: Waiting 15 to 20 minutes is far past the advised limit.
  • D. 30 minutes: Waiting 30 minutes is far past the advised limit.

Sources

Question 4

How should the phlebotomist make the incision for a dermal puncture?

  1. In two light strokes at one spot
  2. With a twist to widen the small cut
  3. Slowly, easing in until blood shows
  4. In one quick, continuous stroke
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. In one quick, continuous stroke

WHO says to puncture the skin with one quick, continuous and deliberate stroke to get good flow and avoid a repeat puncture; the retractable device is triggered per the manufacturer (Croatian recommendation 14).

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. In two light strokes at one spot: A site is punctured only once; repeated punctures raise the risk of contamination and infection.
  • B. With a twist to widen the small cut: Twisting is not part of the described technique and only adds tissue damage.
  • C. Slowly, easing in until blood shows: A slow entry is not the described technique and may give poor flow that needs a repeat puncture.

Sources

Question 5

A physician office patient has orders for an aPTT (light blue-top) and a hemoglobin A1c (lavender-top). The phlebotomist uses a straight needle and tube holder. What is the correct sequence?

  1. Gold discard, light blue, then lavender
  2. Light blue, then lavender
  3. Lavender, then light blue
  4. Either order, since both tubes contain anticoagulant
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Light blue, then lavender

Citrate precedes EDTA in the CLSI order. With a straight needle, a discard tube is not needed for routine coagulation tests.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Gold discard, light blue, then lavender: No discard is needed with a straight needle, and a clot-activator tube must not precede citrate.
  • C. Lavender, then light blue: EDTA filled first could be carried into the coagulation tube.
  • D. Either order, since both tubes contain anticoagulant: Both tubes being anticoagulated does not remove the order of draw.

Sources

Question 6

According to WHO's first step for drawing blood, how should the phlebotomist set out the equipment?

  1. In a closed drawer, opened one item at a time
  2. On the patient's lap, closest to the arm used
  3. In the pockets of a lab coat, to keep hands free
  4. On a tray within easy reach, all items in view
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. On a tray within easy reach, all items in view

WHO step 1 is to collect all equipment needed and place it within safe and easy reach on a tray or trolley with all items clearly visible.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. In a closed drawer, opened one item at a time: Searching a closed drawer mid-procedure delays the draw and the needle disposal.
  • B. On the patient's lap, closest to the arm used: The patient's lap is not a work surface, and items can fall or be contaminated.
  • C. In the pockets of a lab coat, to keep hands free: Pockets hide supplies and are a poor place for anything that will touch blood.

Sources

Question 7

A phlebotomist draws blood from a 3-year-old sitting on a parent's lap. After the needle is out, who should keep mild pressure on the gauze?

  1. A second phlebotomist
  2. No one; tape holds it
  3. The child alone
  4. The parent
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. The parent

WHO's pediatric steps place gauze over the site, withdraw the needle and ask the parent to continue applying mild pressure.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. A second phlebotomist: A second worker is not needed; WHO has the parent help.
  • B. No one; tape holds it: Tape alone does not apply pressure to the puncture.
  • C. The child alone: A young child cannot be relied on to hold steady pressure.

Sources

Question 8

The lab rejects a hemolyzed light green-top (lithium heparin) tube. Which handling step at collection most likely caused the hemolysis?

  1. Using a 21-gauge needle in a good vein
  2. Shaking the tube hard to mix it
  3. Releasing the tourniquet once blood flowed
  4. Letting the tube fill by its own vacuum
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Shaking the tube hard to mix it

Vigorous mixing damages red cells and is a recognized cause of hemolysis and falsely high potassium. Additive tubes are mixed by gentle inversion, never shaken.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Using a 21-gauge needle in a good vein: WHO lists 21 gauge as the usual needle for adult venipuncture.
  • C. Releasing the tourniquet once blood flowed: Releasing the tourniquet once blood flows is correct technique.
  • D. Letting the tube fill by its own vacuum: Letting an evacuated tube fill by its own vacuum is the standard method.

Sources

Cheat sheets for this domain

Routine Blood Collections terms

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